RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 National and regional asthma programmes in Europe
JF European Respiratory Review
JO EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY REVIEW
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 474
OP 483
DO 10.1183/16000617.00008114
VO 24
IS 137
A1 Selroos, Olof
A1 Kupczyk, Maciej
A1 Kuna, Piotr
A1 Łacwik, Piotr
A1 Bousquet, Jean
A1 Brennan, David
A1 Palkonen, Susanna
A1 Contreras, Javier
A1 FitzGerald, Mark
A1 Hedlin, Gunilla
A1 Johnston, Sebastian L.
A1 Louis, Renaud
A1 Metcalf, Leanne
A1 Walker, Samantha
A1 Moreno-Galdó, Antonio
A1 Papadopoulos, Nikolaos G.
A1 Rosado-Pinto, José
A1 Powell, Pippa
A1 Haahtela, Tari
YR 2015
UL http://err.ersjournals.com/content/24/137/474.abstract
AB This review presents seven national asthma programmes to support the European Asthma Research and Innovation Partnership in developing strategies to reduce asthma mortality and morbidity across Europe. From published data it appears that in order to influence asthma care, national/regional asthma programmes are more effective than conventional treatment guidelines. An asthma programme should start with the universal commitments of stakeholders at all levels and the programme has to be endorsed by political and governmental bodies. When the national problems have been identified, the goals of the programme have to be clearly defined with measures to evaluate progress. An action plan has to be developed, including defined re-allocation of patients and existing resources, if necessary, between primary care and specialised healthcare units or hospital centres. Patients should be involved in guided self-management education and structured follow-up in relation to disease severity. The three evaluated programmes show that, thanks to rigorous efforts, it is possible to improve patients' quality of life and reduce hospitalisation, asthma mortality, sick leave and disability pensions. The direct and indirect costs, both for the individual patient and for society, can be significantly reduced. The results can form the basis for development of further programme activities in Europe.Current asthma programmes confirm patients' quality of life can be improved while significantly reducing costs http://ow.ly/Q8dR0